Addicted To :: Artful Vintage

I actually had the pleasure of meeting today’s interviewee at the local seasonal boutique, The Foundrie, here in St. Louis. We were both vending and perhaps secretly lusting over one another’s wares (at least I was!). Emily from Artful Vintage has a certain farmhouse chic style that seems to carry through many of her pieces, and I absolutely love it. I’m sure you will too. Just read on to learn more about her and her shop.

Q: Tell our lovely readers a bit about yourself. Is buying and selling vintage your full-time gig or a hobby? How and when did you get started in this business?

A: My immersion in the “artful” and the “vintage” began before I even knew what the words meant. My parents have always been collectors of antiques, regular visitors of antique shops, auctions and shows. I suppose the habit just rubbed off on me. Eventually, though, even the best treasures can fill up a house and I started my Etsy life selling items that I had collected over the years. I love finding new old things! And when they sell, well then I have to go out and get more things! Selling on Etsy is not my full-time gig – I have a great part-time job working at my good friend’s custom frame shop two blocks from home. My Etsy shop is like a hobby in that it is so enjoyable for me. But it’s definitely a business that I take seriously.

Q: Do you have any favorite, never-let-you-down, treasure hunting spots? Would you like to share, or are they top-secret?

A: My favorite thrift store is in West Memphis and the proceeds benefit folks that are down and out. It’s staffed by great friendly people and I rarely leave there empty handed. They seem genuinely disappointed when I say goodbye without purchasing something. I find some really cool stuff there and like knowing the money spent there supports a good cause. I’ve recently started shopping estate sales and have great luck with that. I’ve learned which companies run sales that have items I can resell and which ones I’ll just go to so I can gawk at the houses, some of which are fantastic! I also do garage sales in Memphis spring, summer and fall. I generally stick to one geographical area and punch all the addresses into my GPS Friday night so I can head out very early on Saturday. I just go where the nice GPS lady tells me to go.

Q: Is there a certain aesthetic you look for when you’re thrifting? How do you decide what to pick up, or just pass on? Do you wait for an item to speak to you?

A: It’s hard to explain. It’s almost always an instant attraction – like I’m in the thrifting zone and I just know I need to have it. I’m not wishy washy when it comes to whether I want something or not. Once I spot it, it’s just a matter of whether the price is acceptable. I am drawn to anything handmade, art, and things that are out of the ordinary. I recently found a shelf while I was home for Christmas. It looked handmade so I grabbed it. On the back it was signed by a local man who had made it in shop class at my old elementary school! I’m always intrigued with the personal history of the things I buy. And I figure that if I like something, there is someone in cyberspace somewhere that will like it too.

Q: Be honest, do you keep many of your finds, or is it strictly business? And do you have any personal collections that you have built over time through thrifting?

A: I honestly don’t keep many things anymore. I do have a hard time letting original artwork go. I rarely pass up a painting. I was leaving an estate sale empty handed and dejected last weekend when a bright and simple painting of two little girls jumped out at me. I grabbed it and went to pay. The proprietor of the estate sale told me it was a painting she had done of herself and her best friend when she was 8 years old. Turns out she is a professional artist who has done exhibits in NY, San Francisco, and Munich. I think I’ll keep that one.

As far as personal collections go, I used to buy tons of goodies from a man at a local flea market. He learned what I liked over time and one day handed me a big plastic Tupperware bowl FULL of flower frogs. I nearly hyperventilated. So yes, I have a personal collection. Of flower frogs.

Q: Are there any items you’ve regretted selling and wish you would have kept for yourself?

A: No seller’s remorse, but I have a bad case of ‘Man, why didn’t I buy that!’ remorse. About 15 years ago I lived in Hannibal, MO where the all day farm auctions were awesome. I found a farm table that was perfect for my family. The finish was already worn, gouged, stained and battered and any damage my kiddos would inflict on it would go unnoticed. When the bid got to $100, I dropped out. It sold for $105. I get very sad when I see a farm table for $1500. Thus, my mantra: ya’ snooze, ya’ lose.

Q: Pick one and tell us about it: Weirdest, most valuable, or most satisfying find?

A: Long before I started selling, I bought a match holder to hang by the fireplace. It was made of a turkey foot with long scary claws that had a wooden cup attached to the front to hold matches. Very creepy. I got some funny looks from family members over that. It didn’t last long, though. Our dog chewed it to pieces.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s interview, my dear readers! I’ve got some great ones lined up for the coming weeks too, so stay tuned!

Robin Eastwood is a treasure hunter and vintage fanatic. Visit The Fancy Lamb on Etsy to drool over some of her latest finds, and follow Robin on Twitter to hear about her latest thrifting adventures.